DISTRICT THREE REAPINGS

Fickle Fetch and Haru Felle

Haru's POV

"What's today's haul?" I asked Oliver, my partner in crime.

"A PDA, which we could sell again for probably a loaf of bread" He said, holding out a tattered device with scratches around the edge.

"Are you sure? It looks a bit..."

"I know, but we need the food"

"Yeah" I grinned mischeviously "Nothing a bit of polish can't fix"

I spotted a girl, maybe 3 or 4 years older than me.

"Oliver, give me the PDA" I demanded as he handed it over to me.

I briskly walked over to her, when I saw someone else, Claudia Crowford, Oliver and I suppose my friend. She still lived at the orphanage, where I had lived until I was seven, that's when I left. I never knew my parents, but sometimes I wish I did.

"Excuse ma'am" I said in my most executive voice "would you like to buy this great PDA, at a bargain price of only one loaf!"

"Or you could buy this one of a kind navigator" Claudia said, holding out a navigator in an even worse condition"

"Look" The girl said "I don't want to participate in one of your shoddy scams, I've got to get to the reapings"

I looked at Claudia, and sighed. So much for eating today. I turned around, preparing to tell Oliver the bad news

"Hey, Haru. Good luck for today" She said, walking away

"Yeah, you too" I mumbled as I walked back to where Oliver was.

"Nothing?" he asked

"Nothing" I confirmed

We walked in silence to the town square, occasionally I glimpsed into windows to flatten my messy tawny hair. Then I saw the monstrosity that was the town square, Large halogen lights gave it an unrealistic glow and all the sections glowed in pastel colours. Upon the stage was a young man with salt and pepper hair, with a rather strange silver tattoo of a dragon stretching across the right side.

Oliver wished me well as we moved into our sections, in the thirteen year old section I stood alone, not in my best clothes, nor with friends just alone. I saw Claudia laughing with her friends from the orphanage. She caught my eye and smiled, I turned away shyly.

"Greetings, everyone" The man with the dragon said "And get ready for the 49th Hunger Games! I know that three will win this year, am I right?"

The crowd didn't respond, they were all waiting for the names to be picked, a glowing bowl loomed ever closer to him. "Well then, let's find out who our female tribute is" he said, plastering an artificial smile, "It appears to me, that we have, Miss Haru Felle, come up here young lady!"

People around me were asking each other Who is that? Then they realised it was me, they were all nudging me, pushing me forward, congratulating me. But for the first time, I wanted to curl up in a warm bed in the orphanage and be safe.

Because I knew one thing – I wouldn't be safe where I was going

Fickles POV

"Fickle, don't think you should be wearing that" Alice said

"Alice, I am old enough to choose what I wear" I said

"You are so cheeky, and it's Mother or Mum to you"

Alice isn't my real mother, nor is her husband, Lewis. The Carroll's own a shop, which is where I was found. But I don't think about that. Or the queen may come.

"Please tell, why do you continue to where those funny glasses?" Alice asked

I pushed my round glasses up to my face, "I like them" I replied, thankfully today she didn't comment on my cap, which was my only true possession.

"Fickle, dear, reapings are in an hour, your father is going to meet us there, is that okay with you?"

"Yes" I mumbled

I walked outside where I saw my, only, friends. Edith and Laice were identical twins.

"What magnificent wonderfulness have you done today Fickle?" Laice or the Jabberwocky as I dubbed her.

"Not much, my friend, what about you Cheshire?" I asked Edith

Edith didn't reply, she just giggled, and loudly. When their mother called out "Troublemakers, we are going out," They both sighed and ran inside, with their long raven plaits swinging behind them. Their mother gave me a hesitant wave and went inside.

Later

"Are you ready, my dear?" Alice asked, It was my first reapings and even though she had told me that there was no chance of getting picked, I could see the unsureness in her eyes. We walked up one of the backstreets to the square, and that was where I saw it. Paint was dripping from a wall. It looked like blood, blood. My eye couldn't stop twitching, then came my hand. I gripped it hard as I walked along with Alice. I then saw Lewis, he waved and came over.

"Ahhh, my boy, ready" He asked whole-heartedly

Then came my other arm, twitching. I collapsed, Alice looked at Lewis. I could feel hot salty tears running down my face and I could hear voices "Fickle, Fickle, Is in a pickle. Fickle, Fickle is so fickle" I couldn't take it anymore, a scream rose in my throat. Alice and Lewis started to sing, that low, melody and I started to feel better, but I could still hear the voices.

"Come on" Lewis said, guesturing to the roped of area. They both gave me a hug and I hugged back awkwardly. The rest of the ceremony went in a blur. Until the male reaping, "Fickle Fetch" The magnificently dressed man said. I cannot remember walking up to the stage, nor shaking his hand.

All I remember is the voices, louder than ever, screaming in my ear, 'Fickle, Fickle is in a pickle, Fickle, Fickle is so fickle'. And then it went black.

Hope you enjoyed :P Especially the cliff-hanger

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